NEW ORLEANS – There were a lot of things not to like about the Mavericks' playoff opener.

They made 15 more free throws than New Orleans, yet still didn't come close to winning.

They shot 33 percent from the field.

But maybe the worst part was that the Mavericks – who own a huge advantage in playoff experience, and supposedly in guile and toughness – seemed to turn meek against the youthful Hornets in the 104-92 loss Saturday night.

It was the Hornets, namely Tyson Chandler and David West, who were aggressive and getting in the Mavericks' faces late in the game. After last season, when Golden State flat-out punked the Mavericks in the first round, they were hoping to have the upper hand in the grit department this time.

"Every playoff game is a little nippy here and there," Dirk Nowitzki said. "Guys are playing extra hard. Every possession counts.

"It sounds stupid, but that's what you've got to do, play extra hard. Guys are on each other a little more. You run into a few elbows here and there. It's part of playoff basketball. It wasn't anything special."

The Mavericks can add it to their troubleshooting list, which is longer than they'd like.

A third-quarter meltdown doomed the Mavericks in Game 1. They were 3-of-16 from the floor in falling behind, 72-68. Chris Paul had 15 points and five assists in the third quarter, in which the Mavericks surrendered 36 points, four fewer than they gave up in the first half.

The Hornets started the game making six of their first 24 shots. They were 35-of-64 the rest of the way.

"We wanted to do what we could to get this first win," West said. "We felt like this was really the most important game of the series. So we wanted to get off to a good start."

The Mavericks now must regroup. They still need a win in New Orleans to have any chance in the series.

"We just have to execute a little better and get what we want, not what they give us," Nowitzki said. "We'll come up with something."